Chiron, here we come!!

[Zoid]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6158855.stm

But what´s so special about humanity? If we´re stupid enough to endanger ourselves to the point of extinction, should we really be saved?

[Provost Harrison]

I think it is a good idea, but not currently within our grasp. Communications could be a bit difficult though

[Provost Harrison]

Actually scrap that, we colonised the US and look what a pain in the arse that has become

[Zoid]

Obviously we need to genetically engineer the colonists so they don´t get any inconvenient thoughts of independence and such...

[Elok]

How long would it take to accelerate to near the speed of light as mentioned without crushing the passengers into goo? I imagine it'd take a good while, and equally long decelerating at the destination. At least he's not talking about "warp drives," though.

[General Ludd]

Steven hawking is a dork

[Zoid]

Obviously some form of protective gear must be developed to shield the colonists from the g-force, otherwise I think the start and stop part of the journey will take too long...

[DaShi]

Inertial dampeners.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Elok
How long would it take to accelerate to near the speed of light as mentioned without crushing the passengers into goo? I imagine it'd take a good while, and equally long decelerating at the destination. At least he's not talking about "warp drives," though.

Obviously some form of protective gear must be developed to shield the colonists from the g-force, otherwise I think the start and stop part of the journey will take too long...

The above is a demonstration of why it's better to profess your ignorance (as Elok has done) rather than make bold, wrong assertions (particularly those which begin with a word like "obviously")

At a constant 1g proper acceleration, our hypothetical spaceship reaches 0.9c after ~312 days (Earth time). Slightly less proper time. If it then cuts out its engines and coasts it would fly past the Centaurus system in another 4 years or so (Earth time). ~ 1.8 years proper time. If it were to again decelerate and come to a stop in Centaurus the whole trip would take ~5.3 years (Earth time) or ~4 years (proper time)

[Maniac]

How fast (in gees) can an object accelerate with current technology?

[Elok]

So, the start and stop of the trip would effectively have normal Earth gravity for a little under a year, just on opposite surfaces of the ship? Fun.

[Whoha]

Originally posted by Elok
How long would it take to accelerate to near the speed of light as mentioned without crushing the passengers into goo? I imagine it'd take a good while, and equally long decelerating at the destination. At least he's not talking about "warp drives," though.

1G acceleration for about 350 days.

How fast (in gees) can an object accelerate with current technology?

fuel consumption is the problem.

[Whoha]

doh

[Zkribbler]

How fast (in gees) can an object accelerate with current technology?

fuel consumption is the problem.

True....
For example, a bullet can accelerate really fast.

IIRC, our fighter aircraft can pull a maximun 8 Gs.

Space vehicle lauches are about 3-4 Gs, but they don't take long.

Scientists are working on an ion engine for interplantary & interstellar travel. It can work for long periods because itt's very fuel efficient, but acceleteration will only be ~1/10 G.

[snoopy369]

Well then clearly we need ten of them on our hypothetical space ship